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A
humble tribute to Simplen Sequeira, on his 10th death
anniversary, who left us on August 15, 1994
Simplen Peter Sequeira, popularly known as Simpa, was a simple
and a humble man indeed. He was born on 18th
December 1941, in Hosala, Barkur, was born to late (Thibu)
Thirbus Sequeira & late Bridjet (Nee Carvalho) Sequeira. Simplen,
Simpa for short was married to Gladys Rebello, from Kannada
Kudru, Gangolli Parish. Kundapura. He has three sons, Nitin
–who works for IDBI Bank in Mumbai as Asst. Manager, Austin –
who works in Dubai, and Quintin – who works in Mumbai for a
private firm.
Simpa has four brothers. Francis is working in Tata Cancer
Hospital, Bombay. Boniface is working for The New India
Assurance Co. Boniface is one of the active committee member of
SPA (St. Peter’s Association.); Vincent is looking after and
maintaining the vast coconut tree plantation, and rice fields,
besides managing a cold store in Barkur; and Michael is working
in Dubai. Needless to say, all the brothers by working hard
with honesty are well placed and well settled.
Simpa has 3 sisters, Felcy Roche (a house wife) is married to
Mark Roche from Barkur (Kudru Vado); Maxie is a nun, belonging
to the congregation of Sister’s of Charity, who is working as a
hostel warden a Hassan, Karnataka State; Gracy is married to
Rocky D’Almieda from Trasi, both Kuwait returned ones. Gracy is
the president of the Trasi Panchayat Board.
Simpa obtained his high school degree from the
National High School, Barkur in 1959. He was a very good
sportsman, and was a hero kind of fellow to youngsters who
looked up to him. He used to bag prizes in long races like 1000
meters, or in relay races etc. He was a very good swimmer.
James Fernandes remembers, that once, he was in trouble almost
to drowning, while competing in Moodukere Tank, where the
swimming competition was held (for lack of a decent swimming
pool), in 1957 or so. Everybody was screaming ‘Somebody save
him’, however, there was nobody to help him. Fortunately, the
slower swimmers who were behind him helped him to the
bank/shore/steps of this holy temple tank, abandoning their
races and their chances of winning. Such was the sportsman ship
my friends. He inhaled quite a bit of water instead of air!
Poor fellow got leg muscle cramps, as the tank water was much
colder than the river water he was used to swimming, and was in
acute pain, struggling to stay afloat. The Sports master
Mahabala Shetty, was in panic. Maha bala was no bala at all, or
was quite helpless, and anybody else in sight! We suggested,
that, in the future there should be a boat in the pond, or
expert swimmers/divers like Moodahadu Kudru fishermen should be
around. But where was the money? Is swimming a part of the
sports fair today?
As most of us Barkurians, he too went to
Bombay in search of jobs in 1959. He too struggled to find
living quarters in Bombay. Actually, this experience of finding
a mattress area to take four hours of sleep at night, made him
get involved with St. Peter’s Association, in Bombay, later in
his hay days of his life, thus he could be of help to the
incoming flow of Barkurians to Bombay, so that they need not
suffer as he suffered. Such charitable spirit needs kudos, my
friends, irrespective of whether most of our experiences were
similar ones or not.
I
remember Simpa catching fish from the rivers or ponds using
various techniques, however, he was also one of those who
belonged to the class of buying fish for cash! Very few could
afford such luxury those days!
Starting as a clerk for the Bank of India in
Bombay, he reached the top rung of the banking ladder as a
Branch Manager of the bank, with a total of over 25 years in
banking experience. After his retirement in 1987, he started
construction business, in Rose Nagar, Naigaon, Bombay.
Many of you are quite aware that Simpa was highly instrumental
in reviving and invigorating the St. Peter’s Association in
Bombay, which was in a dormant state otherwise
for many years. He achieved it with the help and support of
some forward looking senior Barkurians, namely, Augustine
D’Silva, (late) Valerian D’Lima, Henry Roche, Richard Carvalho,
Allwyn D’Souza, Edwin Sequeira and others, and also with the
help of some enthusiastic youngsters, namely, Vincent D’Almeida,
Lawrence Sequeira, Archibald Furtado, John Gonsalves, Ivan
Rebello, and others. During his president-ship, the Association
managed to collect large amounts of donations, especially with
the help of some of the senior Barkurian committee members and
established the Hostel for the youth at Naigaon and started
helping Barkur Church School children with uniforms, stationery,
etc. Simplen Sequiera was the Founder President of the revised
version of St. Peter’s Association in Bombay, an honor, which no
one can take away from him. He had many dreams and plans for
his hometown, such as to build a community hall and a home for
the aged in Barkur, but could not achieve them, as he died an
untimely and premature death; a victim to the disease called
cancer. Efforts were made to prolong his life, however, God did
not want to prolong his suffering, I suppose.
The 10th death anniversary Mass is scheduled on 15th
August, at Velankani church, Irla, Andheri. at
6.30 Pm. Please join to pray for the repose of his soul, if he
is not in Heaven already!
In the opinion of Edwin Sequeira (USA), Simpa was by far one of
the finest Barkurians that he came across during his life time
to this date. I suppose, most of the Barkurians who knew him,
while he was alive, would agree with Edwin.
With fond remembrances from Vincent D’Almeida and
Edwin Sequeira USA;
Compiled by James Fernandes for Barkuronline.com.
August 12, 2004. |
